This research study entitled “Exploring barriers to accessing maternal health and family planningservices in ethnic minority communities in Viet Nam” was supported, and the scope of the studydeveloped, by the Ministry of Health and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Viet Nam.The study was implemented and managed by the University of Toronto in collaboration with theMekong Development Research Institute (MDRI).

We would like to thank the research team, especially Dr Kerrie Proulx, Ms Kristy Hackett, Dr StephenLye and Mr Craig Burkett from the University of Toronto, as well as Ms Nguyen Thu Nga from MDRI,for their work on all phases of the study. We acknowledge technical and management support fromDr Luu Thi Hong, former director of the Department of Maternal and Child Health, Ministry of Health,and Dr Nghiem Thi Xuan Hanh, senior expert with the Department of Maternal and Child, Ministry ofHealth, as well as technical guidance from Dr Dat Van Duong, Reproductive Health Team Leader atUNFPA in Viet Nam. We also thank the more than 4,600 ethnic minority women who participated inthis important study.

It is our hope that this report proves useful to policy makers, programme managers, healthprofessionals, researchers and donors in designing and implementing effective reproductivehealth programmes in order to achieve the ultimate objectives of the International Conference onPopulation and Development and the Sustainable Development Goals in Viet Nam.